Important Security Alert: Recent Phishing Emails Targeting UCD Accounts

Important Security Alert: Recent Phishing Emails Targeting UCD Accounts, Updated Mon, 15 Dec

Updated Monday, 15 December 25

What is happening:

UCD's IT Security Team has identified a recent increase in phishing emails targeting staff and student email accounts. These messages may appear to come from IT Services, departments, members of the UCD community, and may urge you to click a link, verify your account details, update your password, or open an attachment.

What to Look Out For

• Messages claiming urgent action is required to avoid account deactivation
• Unexpected requests to “verify” or “reset” your UCD credentials 
• Contains Suspicious links or attachments
• Sender addresses that look similar to legitimate UCD emails but are slightly altered

Example Subject lines: 

• "Your university email address will be deleted"
• "Irreversible deactivation of inactive university accounts"
• " [DIRECTORATE] UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN"
• "Egala Transport"
• "Contestations relatives à une décision pénale"
• "Message à caractère essentiel" 

What You Should Do

• Always Verify links before clicking on them.
• Do not open attachments in suspicious messages
• Do NOT reply to the sender
• Mark the email as Phishing in Gmail
• If you clicked a link or entered your details, change your UCD password immediately by going to https://www.ucd.ie/connect and search for the "Password Self Service" application.
• Frequently monitor your UCD Connect account for unusual activity. Students can check login activity at -  (opens in a new window)https://mysignins.microsoft.com
  Staff can check email activity at (opens in a new window)https://www.google.com/devices
  (You will be prompted to login to your UCD Connect account if you have not already done so.)
• Report suspicious account activity to UCD's IT Helpdesk.

For more information visit the IT Security Phishing Awareness webpage.

Staying Safe

Please remain vigilant and take a moment to review all messages before taking action. UCD IT Services will never ask for your password via email. When in doubt, contact the IT Support Team for assistance (https://www.ucd.ie/ithelp) 

Who will this affect:

Students and staff.